IV drip at home in Dubai

What happens during a home IV drip

1. A DHA licensed nurse comes to your home, office or hotel at the time you booked.
2. The nurse should confirm who you are and ask about your health, your allergies and any medicines you take.
3. A sterile IV line is placed, usually in your arm, and the drip runs.
4. The nurse monitors you briefly afterwards.

How long it takes depends on the drip. The Summer Hydration Drip listing, for example, gives around 30 to 45 minutes. Each listing states its own details.

What DHA asks of care given at home

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) sets out rules for care at home in its Standards for Home Healthcare Services. The points most useful to you are these:

• Home healthcare is offered to patients referred by a physician, and a qualified physician must assess the patient face to face before services take place.
• The provider must have signed consent from you before it starts.
• Nurses help give prescribed medicines, which the standard says can include injections, IVs and infusions.
• The provider must have an emergency plan and carry an emergency kit.

Ask the provider how these rules apply to your booking. You can look up the facility and the nurse by name in the free Dubai Medical Registry.

Risks to know about

Cleveland Clinic describes IV rehydration as common, simple and safe, but lists rare complications. They include infection, a bruise or swelling where the line goes in, an inflamed or collapsed vein, too much fluid given too quickly, and air getting into the vein.

Tell the nurse straight away if you feel pain, swelling, breathlessness or dizziness during a drip.

If you are pregnant, take regular medicines, or have a long-term condition such as heart or kidney disease, ask a doctor before you book. The Summer Hydration Drip listing, for one, also tells people with medical conditions to speak to a clinician first.

You may not need a drip

For mild dehydration, the NHS advises drinking fluids, starting with small sips, and says a pharmacist can recommend oral rehydration solutions. Before a drip for a hangover, tiredness or a general boost, ask what the listed benefit is based on and whether it suits you. A drip does not replace medical care for an illness.

Not sure? You can see a doctor by video first and ask.

How to book on medicAI

Open a drip to see what it contains and its price, then press Schedule. You log in, add your address, choose a time at least 2 hours ahead and up to 90 days out, and pay online. medicAI is the technology platform: independent licensed providers give the care and are responsible for it.